Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles reviews expedited COE and pardon petitions; many pardons granted, numerous cases referred to full hearings

Chair Rafaro Berry opened the Board of Pardons and Paroles’ public expedited pre‑screen and Certificate of Employability (COE) docket on May 11, 2026, noting statutory authority, public‑forum rules and processing timelines for documents and records updates.

The board first reviewed a COE application from Maryanne Casilio, who said she was seeking a COE largely to pursue commercial driving work. Members noted a 2025 DUI that would likely block restoration of driving privileges; after discussing a no‑driving condition the panel voted to grant a COE with driving limitations in place.

On the expedited pardon docket the board considered a series of applications the panel had determined were eligible for administrative action. The board voted to grant full and absolute pardons for several petitioners after reviewing files and weighing rehabilitation, employment history, program completion and time since last conviction. Those named in the expedited grants included Anthony Empos(iah) Mensa, Exavia (Xavier/Exavia) Denise Helvy, Roberto McKay, Lewis P. Marone, Scott Christopher Wagner, Daryl Wardsworth, Amy Suzanne Schmalling (granted with at least one dissent), Eduardo Vega Jr., and Steve J. Wargo. Board members routinely cited applicants’ employment, education or recovery work as supporting evidence for a pardon.

Several cases drew sustained discussion and were either denied or sent to a full hearing. Members raised public‑safety concerns, the seriousness of victim injuries, repeated offenses and, in some files, apparent discrepancies or minimization of responsibility in applicants’ statements. The transcript contains some internally inconsistent phrasing in at least one case concerning a motion to deny versus later language stating a pardon was granted; the board paused in several files to request full hearings so petitioners could appear in person and respond to questions about their records or rehabilitation efforts. Examples of petitioners the board moved to bring forward for full hearings (for reasons such as victim presence, unresolved questions in the file, or statutory requirements) included Neil Patrick Kennedy, Kathleen Lynn Capolei, Wayne Vanrath Johnson, Tony Jean Morosi, Maris Miller, Alexi Rodriguez, Maurice W. Scott Jr., Jessica Harper Davis and several others listed on the hearing docket.

Throughout deliberations board members referenced completing interlock systems, probation discharge dates and program participation as indicators of rehabilitation; members also noted when applicants remained on registries (e.g., sex‑offender registry), when injuries to victims were severe, or when more time in the community was needed. Votes were recorded verbally at the bench (for example, board members saying "I") and dissenting votes were noted on the record when applicable.

The panel concluded the COE and expedited pre‑screen docket at 10:18 a.m. The board scheduled or granted full hearings for numerous petitioners from the absolute pardon docket so victims could be heard and applicants could respond to outstanding questions. The board emphasized that a granted absolute pardon or COE does not constitute a finding of innocence nor an automatic erasure of all records on third‑party sites; the chair reiterated administrative timelines for certificates and pardons.

Next steps: petitioners referred to full hearings will receive notice of hearing dates and victims will be given opportunity to appear according to statutory requirements. The board’s public record will reflect the actions taken on the expedited docket and the list of cases advanced to full hearings.